February 26, 2011

Capitol Chamber Artists--Lisztomania Saturday Night

More famous in his lifetime for his virtuosity as a performer than his genius as a composer, Franz Liszt was widely regarded as the greatest pianist the world had yet heard. Given Liszt’s popularity, it seemed appropriate three decades ago when filmmaker Ken Russell titled a Liszt biopic Lisztomania (though casting Roger Daltry as Liszt remains a head-scratcher), and remains appropriate now, when Capitol Chamber Artists decided to dub this weekend’s Liszt bicentennial birthday concert Lisztomania, too.

Combining the music of Liszt with works by those he influenced, the program will include Liszt’s Tristia, the composer’s transcription of his La vallee d’Obermann for piano trio; Robert Volkmann’s Piano Trio in B Minor; Eugene Ysaye’s Bercuse; Cecile Chaminade’s Celebration of the Stars; Rodolphe Kreutzer’s Sonata for Violin and Cello; Joseph Joachim’s Hebrew Melody; and more, all performed on period instruments.